In Homer Santa's coming Saturday 'snow or no'

HOMER - The weather ‘grinch’ is not going to steal Banks County’s second annual Christmas Festival and parade Saturday in Homer; Santa is expected to arrive on schedule, snow or no snow.

That’s according to Tara Fulcher, Executive Director of the Banks County Chamber of Commerce,keeping a close eye on the National Weather Service forecast.

"According to them, and it continues to say that the rain and the snow will be out of our area by 9:00 a.m. in the morning," Fulcher said.

That’s just in time for the festival to start and Santa’s arrival for the downtown parade starting at noon.

"I don't think we're going to have a problem," Fulcher added. "We are committed to making this an annual event to bring more business and more of a highlight to downtown Homer."

Santa won't be riding in his customary sleigh with reindeer, however, according to Fulcher.

"Santa will probably be riding in the back of an antique car," she said, and he will be accompanied by plenty of area church floats, baton twirlers, other vintage cars, the Banks County Saddle Club and American Legion motorcycle riders.

"It's going to happen 'snow or no, and we're really excited about it," Fulcher said.

Patricia Hill, a food vendor from Commerce, showed up early to set up her concession trailer, hoping for plenty of hungry festival customers who won’t be discouraged by Saturday’s predicted chilly weather.

“We’re hoping it’s going to do pretty good,” she said. “We’ve got high hopes anyway,” she said.

Hill said this is her first time as a vendor at the Homer Christmas festival and wants a successful start to the holiday vendor season.